The toughest job President Bush is facing.

Platapus · 09-02-08, 07:05 PM

The toughest job President Bush will have is his speech tonight.

What can President Bush say?

He can’t endorse Senator McCain by telling people that Senator McCain will make a good president because he will continue the current administration’s policies as the current administration’s policies do not enjoy all that high a confidence level with the public. People, even Republicans don’t want a copy of President Bush.

He can’t endorse Senator McCain by telling people that Senator McCain will make a good president because he will change the current administration’s policies as this would be tantamount to admitting that the current administration’s policies are wrong and need changing. If the President is admitting that his policies were wrong and need changing, this will give the benefit to the Democrats.

So President Bush has to walk a fine line between painting Senator McCain as a change agent but still inline with the Republican agendas.

Stray too far in one direction and it will re-enforce the perception that Senator McCain will be Bush III.

Stray too far in the other direction and it will re-enforce the perception that the current administration was wrong.

I don’t think this is a speech President Bush is looking forward to making.

One way makes President Bush look good but Senator McCain look bad
The other way makes President Bush look bad but Senator McCain look good.

I bet the speech writers were sweating this one big time. It will be very interesting to see which way the speech goes.

I don’t think there is a way President Bush can “win” this one. Damned if you do and damned if you don't type of thing.

Skybird · 09-02-08, 07:29 PM

First the storm blows the convention halfway apart, and reduces it somewhat.

Then Palin's teenage daughter pregnancy.

Then riots and violent clashes between protestors and the police around the convention.

Then the accusations of Palin having abused her authority in Alaska, and the revelation that an official examination of that is underway.

If I were McCain I would think that for the moment I've had enough to keep both my hands full, and I would hope that Bush simply would not show up, would disappear and remain silent, not one stupid word to hear.

Who needs rivals in the race for the WH if he has friends like Bush. The Hurricane was the best thing that could happen. It gave Bush an excuse to stay away and stay in the management centre instead.

The past 7 days could not have been the best week McCain has seen.

Platapus · 09-02-08, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

If I were McCain I would think that for the moment I've had enough to keep both my hands full, and I would hope that Bush simply would not show up, would disappear and remain silent, not one stupid word to hear.

I agree. If there were some reason to justify the President being "unable" to make a speech, that would be the best of all worlds. Unfortunately, with today's technology, it is hard to be unable to make a speech.

As one of the commentators stated tonight during the Convention. "They have airplanes" when remarking that the President choose not to attend the Convention but to give a speech from DC.

Subnuts · 09-02-08, 07:56 PM

Catch-22.

Enigma · 09-02-08, 09:50 PM

Why the confusion? He'll say what he always says. Absolutely nothing.

Reece · 09-03-08, 12:53 AM

If poor old Bush shows up for the speech his Hands & mouth could be referred to as "Weapons of Mass Destruction"!

UnderseaLcpl · 09-03-08, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

He can’t endorse Senator McCain by telling people that Senator McCain will make a good president because he will continue the current administration’s policies......

From the paper today; "BUSH SAYS AMERICA NEEDS McCAIN"

Jimbuna · 09-03-08, 08:07 AM

Whatever he says.....rest assured....it will have been written by a cleverer mind than his.

Frame57 · 09-03-08, 11:09 AM

What is REALLY scary is Bush may consider running the U.N. in the future. Yikes!

joegrundman · 09-03-08, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frame57

What is REALLY scary is Bush may consider running the U.N. in the future. Yikes!

you spell it r-u- I - n-i-n-g

Blacklight · 09-03-08, 12:53 PM

Quote:

EnigmaWhy the confusion? He'll say what he always says. Absolutely nothing.

Oh.. you forget... he'll say "Absolutely nothing" along with repeating the words "Terrorism", "911", "Saddam Husein", "Iran", "Terrorism", "911", "911", "Terrorism" over and over again.

Platapus · 09-03-08, 04:51 PM

I like the part where he said that his duties forced him not to be able to attend.

As one of the commentators mentioned "they have airplanes you know".

The President choose not to attend and I think that was on the suggestion of the RNC. It is also convenient that Cheney is also "out of town" during the convention.

I wonder if the Republicans realize that there is more to the Presidential job description than just being Commander in Chief? That seems to be all they are talking about.

Tchocky · 09-03-08, 04:57 PM

Doesn't the "Commander in Chief" moniker only apply in times of declared war?

Perhaps one of our resident Constitutional scholars can help. I mean, obviously parties use it because of it's military/patriotic/masculine connotations, but it would help if it was accurate.

Digital_Trucker · 09-03-08, 05:18 PM

If I read it right, the President is the commander in chief of the military at all times, not just times of war.

Tchocky · 09-03-08, 05:39 PM

Oh, ok. Just some half-remembered readings of mine.

Anyway, here's something interesting

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.co...ccain-was.html

09-02-08, 07:05 PM	#1
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	The toughest job President Bush is facing. The toughest job President Bush will have is his speech tonight. What can President Bush say? He can’t endorse Senator McCain by telling people that Senator McCain will make a good president because he will continue the current administration’s policies as the current administration’s policies do not enjoy all that high a confidence level with the public. People, even Republicans don’t want a copy of President Bush. He can’t endorse Senator McCain by telling people that Senator McCain will make a good president because he will change the current administration’s policies as this would be tantamount to admitting that the current administration’s policies are wrong and need changing. If the President is admitting that his policies were wrong and need changing, this will give the benefit to the Democrats. So President Bush has to walk a fine line between painting Senator McCain as a change agent but still inline with the Republican agendas. Stray too far in one direction and it will re-enforce the perception that Senator McCain will be Bush III. Stray too far in the other direction and it will re-enforce the perception that the current administration was wrong. I don’t think this is a speech President Bush is looking forward to making. One way makes President Bush look good but Senator McCain look bad The other way makes President Bush look bad but Senator McCain look good. I bet the speech writers were sweating this one big time. It will be very interesting to see which way the speech goes. I don’t think there is a way President Bush can “win” this one. Damned if you do and damned if you don't type of thing. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

09-02-08, 07:29 PM	#2
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	First the storm blows the convention halfway apart, and reduces it somewhat. Then Palin's teenage daughter pregnancy. Then riots and violent clashes between protestors and the police around the convention. Then the accusations of Palin having abused her authority in Alaska, and the revelation that an official examination of that is underway. If I were McCain I would think that for the moment I've had enough to keep both my hands full, and I would hope that Bush simply would not show up, would disappear and remain silent, not one stupid word to hear. Who needs rivals in the race for the WH if he has friends like Bush. The Hurricane was the best thing that could happen. It gave Bush an excuse to stay away and stay in the management centre instead. The past 7 days could not have been the best week McCain has seen. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

09-02-08, 07:56 PM	#4
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Catch-22. __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

09-02-08, 09:50 PM	#5
Enigma The Old Man Join Date: May 2005 Location: At comms depth, obviously. Posts: 1,476 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Why the confusion? He'll say what he always says. *Absolutely nothing.* __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain

09-03-08, 12:53 AM	#6
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,685 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	If poor old Bush shows up for the speech his Hands & mouth could be referred to as "Weapons of Mass Destruction"! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

09-03-08, 08:07 AM	#8
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,445 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Whatever he says.....rest assured....it will have been written by a cleverer mind than his. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-03-08, 11:09 AM	#9
Frame57 Sea Lord Join Date: May 2008 Location: 1300 feet on the crapper Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	What is REALLY scary is Bush may consider running the U.N. in the future. Yikes!

09-03-08, 04:51 PM	#12
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I like the part where he said that his duties forced him not to be able to attend. As one of the commentators mentioned "they have airplanes you know". The President choose not to attend and I think that was on the suggestion of the RNC. It is also convenient that Cheney is also "out of town" during the convention. I wonder if the Republicans realize that there is more to the Presidential job description than just being Commander in Chief? That seems to be all they are talking about. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

09-03-08, 04:57 PM	#13
Tchocky Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,874 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Doesn't the "Commander in Chief" moniker only apply in times of declared war? Perhaps one of our resident Constitutional scholars can help. I mean, obviously parties use it because of it's military/patriotic/masculine connotations, but it would help if it was accurate. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

09-03-08, 05:18 PM	#14
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	If I read it right, the President is the commander in chief of the military at all times, not just times of war. __________________ RSM-GIEP-Killflags-LV Tribute-Playable Elco __Peace be with you, Dave.

09-03-08, 05:39 PM	#15
Tchocky Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,874 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Oh, ok. Just some half-remembered readings of mine. Anyway, here's something interesting http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.co...ccain-was.html __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]